<p>Has anyone applied to/been accepted/currently attends St. John's in NM? Is it hard to get in? I don't have awesome credentials, but they're okay--I'm valedictorian of my class, SAT V800 M600, varsity sports, some community service. But I also hear that admissions officers don't really care about that stuff. So what is it that they look for?</p>
<p>I dont think they even ask for any of that. I believe you just have to prove your eligibility in their personal statement. So I guess the weight is all right there.</p>
<p>St. John's - both the campus in NM and the one in Maryland - is much more interested in finding students who are likely to thrive in their unique curriculum approach than they are with grades/test scores. They place a lot of emphasis on fit - your stats would be fine for them, but they'll want to see evidence of intellectual curiousity, a passion for learning, an interest in discussion and an ability to get along with others in a small group setting - all of that will have to be conveyed in your interviews, essays and recommendations. Just make sure the program is really for you - if it is, it's an outstanding education. Good luck.</p>
<p>Is the curriculum really intense in comparison to other schools?</p>
<p>It is said of St. Johns (both campusus) that it is easy to get in to, hard to get out of. The acceptance rate is relatively high, especially at the Santa Fe Campus, but the graduation rate is low compared to many other colleges of the same calibur. Some of that may go hand in hand, but it is also a very challenging school.</p>
<p>Also, don't even think of St. Johns in less you are up for reading classic literature. The four years are spent around reading the classics, and courses are tought from them. Calculus is tought directly from Newton's texts, for example. If you are up for recieving what is truely the most liberal arts education, with little experiance for jobs, and are up to the work load, than St. Johns is for you. Otherwise, you will likely be part of the the large group of students who do not graduate.</p>
<p>nickleby...thanks for the info...i really love to read and have taken some philosophy courses at the local university (from what i've read, i really do dig plato, et. al.) im not really the career-minded type--i have no idea what i want to be when im older, maybe a journalist i dunno. i have a passion for literature, history,philosophy etc and im excited that there is a college that thinks these subjects are important (the only thing is convincing my parents they're important too :) not too fond of math, tho, but i hear people like me who go there learn to like it.</p>
<p>oh and you mentioned the workload...besides reading and discussing...what all is there if theres no tests and no grades? on the princeton review website, a st johns student says that "you can get by with doing almost nothing". I know they expect you to know your stuff, but there no pressure of semester tests, right?</p>
<p>deadhead06</p>
<p>You seem (from the very little that I know) the perfect type of student to go to St. Johns. I am not sure of the grading system, but don't make that the deciding factor. If their are no tests, then the equivilent system of evaluation is probably harder for many people, put perhaps perfect for you.</p>
<p>If you do decide to go their, understand that for many professions, you may have to get another degree. For any literature, english, more liberal profession, St. Johns is perfect. But there is only a few schools like it for a reason, it isn't completely compatible with the American system of employement (probably America's problem, not St. Johns).</p>
<p>It is my philosophy, that you should go to school to learn and discover your passion, graduate school, etc. can come later. If this is your reason to go to college, give St. John's serious thought.</p>
<p>Make sure you spend a term or something on the Annapolis, Maryland campus. Amazing, amazing town!</p>
<p>I heard the Santa Fe campus sucks.</p>
<p>I know someone who visited there and loved it. I depends on the type of setting you want.</p>
<p>You might also be a good fit for the University of Chicago or Reed. I'd also suggest Swarthmore, but it's very difficult to get in - not that Chicago and Reed are easy. </p>
<p>I'm not familiar with St John's grading policy - but at other schools that don't rely on grades, there are still tests and papers.</p>